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The World Series of Poker is the largest set of poker tournaments in the world. It is held annually in Las Vegas, lasting just over a month. A bracelet is awarded to the winner of each of the fifty-plus events which include all the major varieties of poker. The series culminates with the $10,000 no-limit hold'em "Main Event", which in recent years has attracted entry fields numbering in the thousands, with the victor receiving a multi-million dollar prize.

Origin : The original World Series of Poker was started in 1969 by Tom Moore of San Antonio, Texas, at the Holiday Hotel and Casino in Reno and was an invitational event. This inaugural event was won by Crandell Addington who went on to place in the top ten of the World Series of Poker Main Event eight times, a record that still stands as of 2007.

Evolution : From 1971 on, all WSOP events have been tournaments with cash prizes. In 1973 a new event, Five-card stud, was added to the main event of no limit Texas hold 'em. Since then new events have been added and removed.

Harrah's Takes” the POT” : The original World Series of Poker was started in 1969 by Tom Moore of San Antonio, Texas, at the Holiday Hotel and Casino in Reno and was an invitational event. This inaugural event was won by Crandell Addington who went on to place in the top ten of the World Series of Poker Main Event eight times, a record that still stands as of 2007.

Marketing of WSOP : Like any event or sports league, the WSOP also has corporate sponsors and licensed products, which like any leagues or events, pay fees to market themselves as an official sponsor and/or licensee and exclusively use the WSOP insignia and cross-promote with their events.

WSOP TV Coverage

In 2000 and 2001, the World Series of Poker was broadcast by The Discovery Channel. These hour long programs presented more of an overview or recap of the WSOP as opposed to broadcasting an actual live event with play-by-play analysis and color commentary. The Discovery Channel's broadcast also featured final table players interviews interlaced throughout the show. ESPN would resume coverage the following year.
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WSOP Broadcasters

1973 (special) - Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder
1978 (CBS) - Brent Musburger and Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder
1979 (CBS) - Frank Glieber and Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder
1981 (special) - Curt Gowdy
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WSOP 2008 Dates

It is not too early to get excited for next year's World Series of Poker, and you can plan on the exact dates the festivities will begin. The dates for the 39th annual WSOP have been released by the company that runs the world's longest running poker tournament series, Harrah's Entertainment. Things will be getting under way a day earlier than this year, May 30.
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